[greybeard]

Hello all,

I have only recently discovered this forum but was a little nervous of registering as my problems seem trivial compared to most of the posters here. I have not been able to find the advice I'm seeking in the message archives and am not sure where else I can find the answer. Can anyone help please?

After several years of increasing immobility, a CT scan has recently revealed severe spinal stenosis L2/3, L3/4, L4/5 and with foraminal stenosis at the same levels. My legs are now very weak and nerve damage has been confirmed by EMGs. I am only able to stand or walk for a few moments and now rely on a wheelchair and a mobility scooter for most activities.

I was advised that surgery would be a major undertaking and would be unlikely to increase my mobility or reduce pain. Epidural injections were suggested, but the lack of enthusiasm with which they were offered made me think these would bring no more than temporary relief of pain that I currently manage using oral medication.

Has anyone in similar circumstances had much benefit from these injections, and would they recommend them?

[araitn]

Hey Greybeard,

I've had two epidural injections over the last few months, the first one being at L4 and the last one at L5. Neither one provided me with any relief, so I won't be jumping in line for any more. With that said, everyone is different and they might help you. The procedure is relatively simple and didn't cause me any additional pain. If cost is not a concern for you, I would say go for it and see if it helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[Illinois Boy]

Welcome to the Jungle.........

Jim

[greybeard]

Thanks guys.

This forum is an amazing source of information and I have already learnt a lot from it. The most important thing being that a positive attitude is essential and that if it occasionally slips a little , there are plenty of good-hearted folks here willing to nudge it back on track.

[wheeliebear75]

Sorry you NEED us but glad you found us.

[Kwag_Myers]

Hmm, greybeard, that name sounds familiar. A gamer's forum perhaps?

Anyway, my injure is different but my symptoms are very simular. In fact, the weakness in the legs is common with Cauda Equina Syndrome. However, your injury is too high for that and I'm not suggesting you have it. Only to say that there are several people here with the same mobility issues and I'm sure you'll fit right in.

As for the epidural injections, araitn makes a good point - it's worth a shot (pun intended).

And, in keeping with Jim's use of song lyrics, "Welcome to my nightmare".

[greybeard]

Kwag_Myers, on Jan 8 2009, 01:52 PM, said:

Hmm, greybeard, that name sounds familiar. A gamer's forum perhaps?

Not me! There must be another old fart out there in cyberland.

Thanks for the welcome. If the pain increases I'll give the injections a go.

[Brocky]

Hi Greybeard,

Your symptoms are very similar to mine so you’re not alone, and like you was unsure about joining. Also like you I thought my condition was a drop in the ocean compared to what some of the people on here have to cope with.

I fell on my arse 10 years ago and compressed my spine which in turn crushed the discs at L4 to S1. Being a lot younger I never noticed the damage until it got significantly worst a few years ago. It has been rapidly deteriating since then and I’m now practically immobile and going for my first wheelchair assessment next week. Over the past few months I’ve got less and less strength in my legs, numbness in my backside, and reduced circulation in my feet. Like you I also suspect Cauda Equina Syndrome but one thing at a time and accepting my disability and wheelchair are the biggest step at the moment.

I had the epidural last year which gave me a whole 3 days pain free before getting worst than before the injection, so I wouldn’t recommend them.

Its good to hear that someone has a similar problem to me and I’m looking forward to getting to know more people on the forums.

[greybeard]

Hiya brocky,

There a good bunch of friendly people here and you'll get lots of advice if you ask for it. It's less than four months since I first came here but already I'm hooked, logging in several times each day and making lots of friends.

My situation has got worse in that short time. Much more pain. My left foot is now just a weight flopping about on the end of my leg, and the right one is going the same way. Leg muscles have weakened a lot. Not through lack of use as I still try to stand as often as possible.

A CT scan wasn't very clear so I have to try for another MRI scan, but I'm a big wuss. I'm extremely claustrophobic and the damned machine terrifies me. Provided they can cram my carcase into the scanner without me freaking out again, the MRI will indicate exactly what route to take next. I'll probably have the injection(s) as the drs won't consider anything else until they've exhausted all the less invasive options. Can't say I'm looking forward to it though, but I have heard from folks who say they benefitted from them.

[bobm]

Can't advise on the epidural issue, but the laminectomies they did on me last year certainly arrested, and partly reversed the stenosis-induced weakness in legs and hands.

Its not all good news..I have lower body spasticity and permanent pain in arms and hands...and we have contributors for whom laminectomy hasn't worked. But if you google laminectomy you will find that japanese studies [i kid you not] show good outcomes on people appreciably older than you and me.

On one thing we are absolutely at one; I find MRI scanners unspeakably awful...some of us just weren't designed for those things...

[greybeard]

bobm, on Apr 7 2009, 05:01 PM, said:

On one thing we are absolutely at one; I find MRI scanners unspeakably awful...some of us just weren't designed for those things...

You got that right, Bob. Why the hell they make them with a hole only big enough for large children to go through is beyond me. The operators treat you like you're some sort of a freak if you are on the large side of average adult male size! It was my chest & shoulder width, not my gut that jammed in the tunnel on my last attempt. Horrible!

Google tells me a local BUPA hospital has an open sided scanner, so I'll enquire and if I can afford it, I'll happily pay to go private.

[EileenM.]

Hey there greybread how are you? I met an elderly lady while in the hospital a yr. ago, she had the epidural shot, fortunately it worked for her. Have you sought out second opinions? Glad your here, lots of nice and crazy fun people. Take it easy.

[greybeard]

EileenM., on Apr 7 2009, 11:46 PM, said:

Hey there greybread how are you? I met an elderly lady while in the hospital a yr. ago, she had the epidural shot, fortunately it worked for her. Have you sought out second opinions? Glad your here, lots of nice and crazy fun people. Take it easy.

Hi Eileen,
It's a bit early to think about second opinions yet. They haven't really decided on their first one yet mainly because of the lack of a MRI. I will be having the epidural after the scan which is in a couple of weeks..

This post has been edited by greybeard: 07 April 2009 - 11:02 PM